Netflix’s wildly popular series Virgin River is expanding into a franchise with the announcement of a Virgin River prequel series that will explore the history of the characters. Virgin River is based on the novels by Robyn Carr, and the romantic drama follows nurse Mel as she moves to a remote northern California town to escape the hustle and bustle of big city life. However, upon arriving in the eponymous town, Mel soon learns that the idyllic lifestyle isn’t all it seems to be.

Already stretching into its seventh season on Netflix, Virgin River has been a consistent hit for the platform for over half a decade. Now, Netflix has set its sights on making the Robyn Carr adaptation into a bona fide franchise, and the Virgin River prequel series is intended to flesh out Mel’s family history by exploring the relationship between her parents and the town. Though the timeline of Virgin River is somewhat muddy, the prequel series has the opportunity to connect and expand upon the original show, and could even open the door for more off-shoots in the future.

The Virgin River Prequel Series Latest News

A Development Update From The Series Showrunner

Besides Mel’s parents, he hopes to utilize the flashbacks to explore other prominent figures in town.

After many months of no updates regarding the prequel, the latest news comes as a development update from Virgin River‘s showrunner. Patrick Sean Smith not only oversees the wildly popular main series, but is involved with the creation of Netflix’s Virgin River franchise. Of the spinoff, the showrunner reaffirmed that work was still going on behind-the-scenes, and he even revealed that the younger versions of Mel’s parents (played by Jessica Rothe and Callum Kerr) will be back in Virgin River season 7. Besides Mel’s parents, he hopes to utilize the flashbacks to explore other prominent figures in town.

Read Smith’s full comments here:

There’s so much that was presumed, and some things that have been referenced, but that’s where I think the more we can fill out this love that spans almost 40 years, if not 40-plus years, the better. I think there’s a lot of big events and milestones that can happen along the way that we can highlight as we fill that out.

I think they were most effective in that they were supporting and really connecting Mel and Everett in a more profound way through her mom. So I wouldn’t want it to feel trope-y or just do it just to do it.

The intent in the prequel, too, and we get a hint of it in season 7 through Hope’s character is just filling out more of the history of Hope’s family, her relationship to the area. In the pilot, she says the McRae cabin is a place that everybody within 50 miles knows, but we’ve never really explored her family legacy to that and what her relationship is with her family. In season 7, we’re really doing a bigger deep dive into Hope’s character and her past, which would then coincide with a lot of the events of what could potentially be in the prequel.It’s a rich world with rich characters. Putting romance forward feels like there’s a ton of potential. And that’s to Robyn Carr’s credit. Each book focuses on a different couple in every book. And what Sue Tenney did very smartly was take characters from the first couple of books and then putting them into an ensemble. But, I mean, there’s huge potential. It’s a great story engine.

The Virgin River Prequel Series Is Confirmed

Netflix Is Developing The Prequel

Though it is still in the early stages, Netflix is officially developing a Virgin River prequel series to explore the relationship between Mel’s biological father, Everett, and her late mother Sarah. While the series is in development, it hasn’t been officially picked up by the streamer and is likely following the pilot process that most network TV shows go through before they reach the airwaves. However, the Virgin River prequel does have a leg up on many newer shows because it will be intrinsically linked to Virgin River.

No release information or timeline has been revealed about the prequel just yet, and the cast is also being kept under wraps. It can be assumed that the role of Mel’s father, Everett, will once again be played by Callum Kerr, while Mel’s mother, Sarah, could be played by Jessica Rothe. The actors have great chemistry in the flashback sequences in Virgin River, and it stands to reason that continuity would keep them together in the spinoff.

Stream Virgin River exclusively on Netflix.

Who Is Making The Virgin River Prequel?

Is Anyone From Virgin River Involved?

At this juncture, it is unclear if Sue Tenney will be in charge of developing the Virgin River prequel series. Tenney helped to bring the original series to Netflix, and her involvement would certainly help with continuity. The only creative officially attached to the prequel so far is Patrick Sean Smith who will not only serve as showrunner, but will also be responsible for writing as well (via Variety). More behind-the-scenes personnel will likely be announced as the prequel comes closer to production.

The Virgin River Prequel Series Story

Mel’s Parents Are The Subject Of The Prequel Spinoff

While most of the details about the Virgin River prequel are still being kept quiet, the basic framework of the story has already been revealed. The show will focus on the relationship between Mel’s mother, Sarah, and her biological father, Everett. Since Mel only learned of her real father’s existence in season 5, the prequel will most likely help to fill in gaps while also connecting the couple to Virgin River.

It is unclear exactly what the show’s conflict will be, but since Everett was ostensibly out of Mel’s life for decades, it’s safe to assume something dramatic happened. It is also uncertain if any Virgin River characters will appear as their younger selves, but it could be assumed that the families of existing characters will play some role in the story. The Virgin River prequel has a lot to work with and could be just the beginning of a larger franchise.